2.2.1 Introduction

The Surprise Planning Area is 309 square miles while the city’s incorporated land area as of March 2008 is approximately 93.76 square miles. The land within the planning area is intended to represent areas in which the city of Surprise may consider annexing at some time in the future. Therefore, it is important to plan the area even though the city does not yet have legal authority over the land. By planning the area outside the incorporated boundaries and working closely with Maricopa County, it is the intent that the county will consider the Surprise General Plan 2030 when making decisions that might impact those lands that could be annexed by Surprise at some point in the future.

The city of Surprise distribution of land use patterns reflects the basic use and intensity to which land in the city is proposed to be developed (Map 2.2A). The Surprise distribution of land use patterns displays the broad designation and arrangement of land uses and densities. These broad designations, listed below, include residential, commercial, business/industrial, mixed use, activity centers, master planned communities, park and open space, and public use categories. A general description of the range of primary and supportive uses, gross residential densities, and other pertinent characteristics are identified. The Surprise distribution of land use patterns is implemented through more detailed village plans, city specific plans, land use codes, and other regulatory measures. These specific plans provide more detailed policy direction and development review criteria at the parcel level concerning the location, type, and intensity of residential uses, shopping and business centers, office and employment areas, parks, libraries, and other public buildings and services.